March 2026
Thanks to a generous legacy gift from the Estate of Joseph Henry, St John of God Subiaco Hospital has been able to purchase a new Paxman Scalp Cooling System, enabling more people to access this highly sought-after cancer care treatment.
For many people, hair loss is one of the most visible and heartbreaking parts of cancer treatment. It can change how patients see themselves, how the world sees them, and impact their confidence in facing the road ahead. At a time when life can already feel uncertain, losing their hair can take away yet another piece of control.
For some patients, scalp cooling caps can offer something precious back. By helping to reduce chemotherapy-related hair loss, scalp cooling caps can support patients to hold on to their sense of identity and dignity. It can also give families comfort in seeing their loved one retain some normalcy during an incredibly difficult journey. And for many, this emotional support makes treatment feel just a little more bearable.
Over the past year alone, 101 patients accessed scalp cooling during 468 chemotherapy sessions at St John of God Subiaco Hospital. With demand fast outgrowing capacity, the new Paxman unit will offer greater access to cooling cap treatment, but more units are still needed.
With your support, we can provide three more scalp cooling machines for patients across our Subiaco and Murdoch hospitals, helping patients maintain their sense of identity, confidence, and dignity during chemotherapy.
Our caregivers see, every day, the emotional toll that treatment can take, and the hope that’s within reach.
“Access to scalp cooling gives patients the chance to reduce chemotherapy-related hair loss, helping preserve dignity and a sense of normalcy during treatment. These machines support not just physical wellbeing, but emotional resilience,” says Tracy Milne, Nurse Unit Manager - Ivy Suite, Subiaco Hospital.
“For many patients, the cooling cap provides not just the chance to keep their hair, but a sense of control at a time when so much feels out of their hands. Having more systems would mean we can offer this choice to more people—and that truly matters,” says Tanya O’Connor, Nurse Unit Manager, Murdoch Hospital.
With your support, we can extend this gift of comfort, choice and dignity to more patients who need it.
(pictured above): Bequest plaque presentation, Ivy Suite Team (L-R): Tracy Cecchini, Bec Rekowski, Tracy Milne, Jenn Fraser, Ash De Marie.